Review: analogies between trophoblastic and malignant cells.
OBJECTIVE
The question of how trophoblastic and malignant cells evade immunologic recognition and rejection by their host was studied.


METHODS
A literature review was conducted.


RESULTS
Trophoblastic and malignant cells share a number of similarities. These include a lack of major histocompatibility complex antigen expression, resistance to lysis by natural killer cells, T-helper cell-2 (TH2)-biased response, prostaglandin E production, and response to transforming growth factor beta. In addition, the analogies between trophoblastic and malignant cells extend into immunotherapy in which anti-idiotype therapy has a viable role in the prevention of pregnancy loss and the treatment of cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Trophoblastic and malignant cells use a number of similar mechanisms to resist rejection by their host. By using similar strategies these cells are able to successfully co-exist in an immunologically hostile environment.
Mullen
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CA
Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 46250-0457, USA.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*